CST has signed an agreement with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to share antisemitic incident data with Police forces across the UK.

CST already shares anonymised antisemitic incident data with the Metropolitan Police in London, Greater Manchester Police and Nottinghamshire Police. This agreement will enable this data sharing to be extended to other forces across the UK.

It is essential that we have the fullest picture of targeted hate crime so that we can put measures in place to protect victims and bring offenders to justice. In the UK, we have some of the best reporting structures in the world but we know that many crimes are never reported to authorities. It's vital that we share available data to give us the clearest picture of the extent of hostility.

CST Chief Executive David Delew said:

CST is proud of our close working partnership with the police across the UK. Our existing data sharing agreements are delivering real benefits for us all in our understanding of hate crime in local areas. This latest development will see those benefits replicated throughout the UK.

John Mann MP, the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group to combat Antisemitism said:

This is an important and welcome step from the police. They are the first to implement one of the recommendations of our recent All-Party Parliamentary Report into Antisemitism and should be congratulated for doing so. Data sharing between the police and CST allows the UK to boast one of, if not, the best data set on antisemitism in the world. I am delighted that we continue to pave the way for others to act.

ACPO have signed a similar agreement with Tell MAMA, the organisation that records anti-Muslim hate crime. CST assisted in the creation of Tell MAMA, which is modelled on CST's work.

Over 1,300 guests attended the CST Annual Dinner last night in central London. It was CST’s largest ever fundraiser and one of the UK Jewish community’s largest ever charity events. CST Chairman Gerald Ronson CBE welcomed the guests, stating:

This is our most important CST fundraising event. And all of you know why. It is the reason so many people have come here this evening. Antisemitism and terrorism. And what it means for our children and our grandchildren. I know that is why you are here and I thank you for it, both the old friends who have been with us for years, and also our many new friends, who contacted CST because they want to be with us, standing strong together, here and now.

Prime Minister David Cameron MP was the keynote speaker, and was loudly applauded as he announced a series of financial measures in support of Jewish communal security across the UK, amounting to over £11million. (The PM’s speech may be read in full here.)

The Prime Minister paid tribute to CST’s volunteers, saying:

You don’t just say leave it to the government. Or leave it to the police. You say “I want to do my bit. I want to take responsibility.” You epitomise not just the best of our Jewish community – but the best of Britain. Day in, day out, three thousand of you volunteer to work with the police, government and other religious and minority communities to fight hate crime and keep people safe. Your service is an inspiration to us all and on behalf of the whole country, I want to say a big thank you.

He went on to express his personal commitment to combating antisemitism alongside CST and the Jewish community:

All of us have been sickened beyond words by the appalling attack in Paris. And then by the dreadful events in Copenhagen, with the murder of a young Jewish volunteer guarding the synagogue...

... At a time when once again the Jewish communities of Europe feel vulnerable and when antisemitism is at record levels here in Britain I will not stand by. I will not turn a blind eye to the threats that the community faces. If the Jewish community does not feel secure then our whole national fabric is diminished...

...We are going to fight antisemitism with everything we have got. There will be no excuses. No exceptions. No justifications. Over generations we have built something incredible in our country: a multi-ethnic, multi-faith democracy – and we are not going to let anyone destroy it. Let me be clear. No disagreements on politics or policy can ever be allowed to justify racism, prejudice or extremism in any form in our society. We will not have it.

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper MP also attended the CST Dinner and has tweeted “Thanks @CST_UK for a great evening. Strongly support Govt proposal for extra security for Jewish schools & synagogues. Tribute to @CST_UK work”.

CST fully welcomes the unprecedented measures announced by the Prime Minister and the support for these measures from the Shadow Home Secretary. These measures follow a series of meetings between CST and Government, held immediately after the recent terrorist attack in Paris and then again following the subsequent attack in Copenhagen.

In these meetings, CST presented our community’s security plans and needs and this funding is the result of that process. CST’s efforts were supported by a range of communal partners and also by Members of Parliament from across the political parties, including Yvette Cooper MP and the All Party Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism. All of this reflected the concerns and needs expressed by our community.

The delivery of the funding will follow the model successfully set by CST’s current administration and oversight of over £2m of existing Government support for security guards at state aided Jewish schools. (This funding will continue and is not included in the new sums announced.) The funding will help to support the security needs of UK Jewish communal organisations and buildings , rather than for CST itself. The cost of security is now proving increasingly difficult for European Jews to bear and these new measures will help avoid and alleviate that situation here in Britain.

Responding to the Prime Minister, Gerald Ronson stated:

Neither I, nor CST, are party political. Let me stress that we have good friends here from both the Opposition and the Coalition Government. But, Prime Minister, on behalf of us all, I want to thank you for the measures you have announced tonight. After a lifetime of fighting antisemitism, I have never seen such a level of support. You have always been crystal clear on every single issue that we have raised here this evening. And, above all else, you take concrete actions that stand for Britain, for Jews in Britain, and for our shared values.

CST thanks all those who made the Dinner such a successful and moving evening. Its primary purpose was to enable CST to deliver the staff, volunteers, training and equipment that our community requires in these challenging times.

Nevertheless, as each of our speakers made clear throughout the evening, this is not only a problem for Jews: it affects all of our society and threatens all of our freedoms and values. For this reason, CST was especially proud to see the strength of our community’s attendance, sending a loud message to the many politicians and Police who joined us, along with the French, German and Israeli Ambassadors to the UK, the Danish deputy Ambassador and the UK Ambassador to Israel. This message was summed up in Gerald Ronson’s speech:

The Jihadis will not defeat our Western society, but will we Jews run scared from this storm of extremism, terrorism, antisemitism and hatred of Israel? Well, let me tell you, the answer is no. I am British, I am Jewish and I am not running anywhere. Neither is CST, and neither should you...

... What we can do, what we must do, is to stand strong and to stop selling ourselves short. Look around you at the strength of this community here tonight. And, look at the support that we have, more partners than ever before, because this is a problem for everybody, and not just for Jews. We should refuse to be defined by antisemitism. Look at everything we have built in the last ten years the schools, the community centres, the care homes and the new synagogues...

This is not a community in crisis, actually, it is a thriving community - but it is a critical time for this community and for CST. Every member of our proud British Jewish community has a part to play in this, by supporting CST financially, or as a volunteer, or as both...

... We stand proud. We organize. We build. We take responsibility for the next generation. THAT is the Jewish reaction to adversity.

Facebook has published a new set of rules explaining to users what kind of content is not allowed on the site. These include tougher restrictions on hate content and a ban on the use of Facebook by organisations that promote hate.

These new Community Standards are welcome, but as with all social media sites their effectiveness depends on how they will be intepreted and enforced by Facebook. We encourage Facebook users to report hate content to Facebook according to the rules set out in these new guidelines. (You can learn how to report content to Facebook here).

The Community Standards cover a range of areas and can be read in full here. The following sections are of most relevance to CST's work:

Hate Speech

Facebook removes hate speech, which includes content that directly attacks people based on their:

Race

Ethnicity,

National origin,

Religious affiliation,

Sexual orientation,

Sex, gender, or gender identity, or

Serious disabilities or diseases.

Organizations and people dedicated to promoting hatred against these protected groups are not allowed a presence on Facebook. As with all of our standards, we rely on our community to report this content to us.

People can use Facebook to challenge ideas, institutions, and practices. Such discussion can promote debate and greater understanding. Sometimes people share content containing someone else's hate speech for the purpose of raising awareness or educating others about that hate speech. When this is the case, we expect people to clearly indicate their purpose, which helps us better understand why they shared that content.

We allow humor, satire, or social commentary related to these topics, and we believe that when people use their authentic identity, they are more responsible when they share this kind of commentary. For that reason, we ask that Page owners associate their name and Facebook Profile with any content that is insensitive, even if that content does not violate our policies. As always, we urge people to be conscious of their audience when sharing this type of content.

Direct Threats: How we help people who feel threatened by others on Facebook.

We carefully review reports of threatening language to identify serious threats of harm to public and personal safety. We remove credible threats of physical harm to individuals. We also remove specific threats of theft, vandalism, or other financial harm.

We may consider things like a person's physical location or public visibility in determining whether a threat is credible. We may assume credibility of any threats to people living in violent and unstable regions.

Bullying and Harassment: How we respond to bullying and harassment.

We don’t tolerate bullying or harassment. We allow you to speak freely on matters and people of public interest, but remove content that appears to purposefully target private individuals with the intention of degrading or shaming them. This content includes, but is not limited to:

Pages that identify and shame private individuals,

Images altered to degrade private individuals,

Photos or videos of physical bullying posted to shame the victim,

Sharing personal information to blackmail or harass people, and

Repeatedly targeting other people with unwanted friend requests or messages.

We define private individuals as people who have neither gained news attention nor the interest of the public, by way of their actions or public profession.

Attacks on Public Figures: What protection public figures receive on Facebook.

We permit open and critical discussion of people who are featured in the news or have a large public audience based on their profession or chosen activities. We remove credible threats to public figures, as well as hate speech directed at them – just as we do for private individuals.

Dangerous Organizations: What types of organizations we prohibit on Facebook.

We don’t allow any organizations that are engaged in the following to have a presence on Facebook:

Terrorist activity, or

Organized criminal activity.

We also remove content that expresses support for groups that are involved in the violent or criminal behavior mentioned above. Supporting or praising leaders of those same organizations, or condoning their violent activities, is not allowed.

We welcome broad discussion and social commentary on these general subjects, but ask that people show sensitivity towards victims of violence and discrimination.

Violence and Graphic Content

Facebook has long been a place where people share their experiences and raise awareness about important issues. Sometimes, those experiences and issues involve violence and graphic images of public interest or concern, such as human rights abuses or acts of terrorism. In many instances, when people share this type of content, they are condemning it or raising awareness about it. We remove graphic images when they are shared for sadistic pleasure or to celebrate or glorify violence.

When people share anything on Facebook, we expect that they will share it responsibly, including carefully choosing who will see that content. We also ask that people warn their audience about what they are about to see if it includes graphic violence.

These guidelines are significantly stronger and clearer than Facebook's previous Community Standards. They are in keeping with Facebook's endorsement of Best Practices in Combating Cyberhate, a statement of principles that CST helped to create. In particular, the inclusion of a rule that "Organizations and people dedicated to promoting hatred against these protected groups are not allowed a presence on Facebook" is welcome.

However, previously Facebook had refused to remove content that clearly breached its previous guidelines, which frustrated many users. We hope that the new set of Community Standards indicates a new willingness to tackle the presence of hate content on Facebook and the use of the platform to promote hatred and bigotry.

Sometimes an organisation reveals its true nature by deliberately behaving in a way that others can only interpret as blatantly stupid, crass and offensive. This happened last week with Islamist-prisoner advocacy group, CAGE, whose director referred to a notorious Islamic State beheader as having been “a beautiful young man”: not so much Jihadi John as Jilted John.

Some of the outrage against CAGE was rightly directed against the Quaker-linked Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, which had given hundreds of thousands of pounds funding to the group.

Now, another past recipient of the Trust’s generosity has also soiled the sheets: the Islamic Human Rights Commission, who have given an “Islamophobia Award” to the staff of Charlie Hebdo. This, barely two months after eleven people were murdered by a terrorist at Hebdo’s Paris headquarters. IHRC also made four “positive” awards: recipients did not include Ahmed Merabet, the (French Muslim) police officer who was murdered outside the Hebdo offices as he lay wounded on the pavement.

IHRC is an Islamist advocacy group that organises London’s al-Quds Rally, an annual event called by the late Ayatollah Khomeini to demand Israel’s destruction. The rally’s Iranian and Lebanese iterations are especially prone to venomous anti-Israel and anti-American hatred.

IHRC also organises another annual event, the Islamophobia Awards. IHRC claim it helps to show that Muslims have a sense of humour: something that is notably absent from the fascistic al-Quds rallies by Hizbollah, Revolutionary Guards and others in Beirut, Teheran and elsewhere.

This year’s Islamophobia Awards went to Maajid Nawaz, Theresa May, Fox News, American Sniper…and the staff of Charlie Hebdo. The event was covered by Iranian broadcaster Press TV. Their two minute news segment concluded:

"None of the winners of the Islamophobia Awards were present to pick up this dubious accolade"

Like its Iranian paymasters, Press TV is no laughing matter (even including George Galloway’s programmes for them). So, we can assume that the above was an unfortunate choice of words: rather than a case of adding mere insult to deadly injury.

Aaron Keily of the National Executive of the National Union of Students has enthusiastically tweeted about the event, including a picture of a promotional brochure with positive messages from columnist Peter Oborne and the former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, who states:

"it is crucial to have people who challenge [negative stereotypes]…These awards are of great significance in such a task and I send my congratulations and warm greetings to all involved."

Jews have long known that the stupidity and power of racism makes it a highly suitable target for satire. Nevertheless, it is counter-productive lunacy to think that the fight against contemporary anti-Muslim hatred is helped by giving sarcastic awards to the victims of Jihadist terrorism.

]]>https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2015/02/23/antisemitic-chanting-by-west-ham-united-supportersAntisemitic chanting by West Ham United supporters2015-02-23T15:40:13+00:00

CST welcomes today's statement by Lord Ouseley, Chair of football's anti-discriminiation campaign Kick It Out, in which he condemns antisemitic chanting by some West Ham United supporters on their way to yesterday's match against Tottenham Hotspur. Lord Ouseley linked this to the wider problem of antisemitism in society and called for antisemitism to be fully integrated into football's anti-discrimination work, saying:

Antisemitism must be tackled with the same vigour as all other forms of discrimination. There is a heightened level of concern within the Jewish community about antisemitism with some feeling unable to live their everyday lives without fear of harassment, abuse and violence.

Theresa May, the Home Secretary, said last month that the UK must redouble its efforts to wipe out antisemitism. Antisemitism which occurs within football should not be treated differently to any other discriminatory incidents. This type of behaviour is all interlinked and it must be stopped.

Football across the board, and that includes everyone involved in the game, especially at the highest levels, need to take responsibility and start asserting themselves by condemning this behaviour and acting upon it when it occurs.

All too often there is silence or half-hearted statements made by those with power and influence when it comes to countering discrimination within the game. This must change now if we are to make a difference. We cannot go on any longer operating with a silo mentality in which everyone looks to someone else to take responsibility but never does so themselves.

This follows the emergence of a video that appears to show antisemitic chanting by West Ham fans on their way to yesterday's match. The video can be watched below (warning: offensive language) and we understand it is being investigated by British Transport Police.

Antisemitism of this kind should be treated with the same repugnance as the racist chanting and actions of those Chelsea fans who racially abused a black man in Paris last week. In 2014, CST recorded 42 antisemitic incidents of a football-related nature, a 45% increase compared to 29 incidents in 2013. These incidents included antisemitic chanting or comments by fans inside and outside professional football grounds, antisemitic abuse by players in amateur and youth football and football-related antisemitism on social media.

We applaud the progress shown by the FA in combating recent examples of antisemitic language or gestures in football. We also welcome the move towards 'strict liability', whereby clubs are fully responsible for the actions of their fans. However, this weekend's events show that there is still much work to be done.

]]>https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2015/02/20/being-jewish-is-not-an-act-of-provocationBeing Jewish is not "an act of provocation"2015-02-20T13:11:33+00:00

On Monday I warned, in an article on Left Foot Forward, that the idea we should appease jihadist terrorists by desisting from doing the things that might 'provoke' them had troubling implications for Jews:

For by this logic, continuing to be Jewish in Europe, to visit synagogues or kosher shops, is also provocative. When faced with jihadist murderers bent on killing Jews, everyday Jewish life becomes provocative.

I originally titled that article "Being Jewish is not a provocation", but then changed the title because, I naively thought, who could imagine that it is a provocation?

Channel 4 News, apparently.

Last night's edition of Channel 4 News featured a frankly appalling interview with Zvika Klein, an Israeli Jewish journalist who spent 10 hours walking round Paris while wearing a yarmulke (a Jewish skullcap). Klein secretly filmed the reactions of some passers-by, which included spitting and abusive comments. You can watch the video here.

Channel 4's interview with Klein is below. The presenter asks Klein (at 2:50) "As you say you are a Zionist, you have a particular standpoint. Do you accept what some critics would say, that the video, the way it was done, was an act of provocation?"

It feels ridiculous to have to state this, but it has become necessary to do so: being Jewish is not "an act of provocation". Walking in public wearing a yarmulke is not "an act of provocation". Highlighting antisemitic abuse directed at a visibly Jewish man in public is not "an act of provocation". It should be possible for a Jew to walk in safety along any street in Europe. Anything less should be unacceptable to everybody who opposes antisemitism and racism.

The fact that Klein says he is a Zionist is irrelevant.

The interview is troubling for another reason. It begins with a question about whether a Muslim woman wearing a hijab would suffer similar abuse, and the comparison of antisemitism to anti-Muslim hatred is a theme of the interview. CST has spoken out repeatedly against anti-Muslim hatred and we support the work of Tell MAMA in monitoring that kind of hate crime. There is value in tackling all forms of hate crime in a collaborative way.

However, it is also important not to use that kind of comparative approach as an excuse to avoid discussing antisemitism. Antisemitism is a problem in itself. There is no need to assess whether it is a bigger or smaller problem than other forms of bigotry before deciding whether to do something about it. At the best of times, this attitude seems churlish; when Jews are being murdered in Europe, it is worryingly complacent.

There is clearly a pattern of antisemitic attitudes in some sections of European societies. The evidence suggests that a disproportionate amount of antisemitic hate crime, in Britain as in France, is perpetrated by Muslims. There is an active jihadist threat to Jewish lives, as seen in Paris and Copenhagen. All of these are problems that need to be addressed. To open an interview about antisemitism by asking about anti-Muslim hatred seems like an effort to change the subject.

Many moving tributes have been paid to the late Dan Uzan Z''L, the Danish Jewish community security volunteer who was murdered by an antisemitic terrorist at 0040hrs on 15 February 2015 / 26 Shvat 5775, whilst protecting 80 people at a Bat Mitzvah in Copenhagen's main synagogue. Below, is one such tribute, from Rabbi Yitzchok Loewenthal, the Director of Chabad Denmark. (Chabad was itself cruelly targeted by terrorists, in Mumbai, India.)

Dan was laid to rest in the Jewish Cemetery on 18 February / 29 Shvat, in front of a monument to the Theresienstadt Ghetto. A memorial page in his memory is at http://danuzan.com/.

This afternoon the Jewish community of Copenhagen, the people of Denmark, and the Jewish people as a whole buried one of its sons: Dan Uzan.

Like the mezuzah, Dan stood tall and proud at the door of Jewish institutions and welcomed people with a firm but friendly demeanor.

He always had a pleasant smile, a good word, and a warm handshake. He was tall and big and loved sports. Enjoyed a good laugh and a hearty joke. His size and demeanor meant that when you saw him at the door you were reassured. You knew that this was a person who was serious about protecting.

That was where he was on the last night of his young life.

The atmosphere in the street that night was tense, and as I was heading out from the bat mitzvah hed been protecting, I said to him, Dan, why are you here on the street? Come inside. His response: "We have to be proactive to make sure the police are here and check the cars etc.". A quick handshake and I left. A short while later he fell in the line of duty, protecting his people.

The Jewish community in Denmark and Jewish communities all around the world have many such mezuzahs. Younger or older, men and women, who stand in the heat and in the cold, in the rain and in the sleet. Just like the mezuzah, they stand at the door to the Jewish home or institution, keeping it welcoming and safe inside.

They volunteer knowing that it gives a sense of security to the community, hoping that the time and warm toes sacrificed will be enough. But with Dan it was not to be.

It is told that the Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, of righteous memory, once spoke of the young people who operated in Europe to clandestinely spirit Jews into Mandate Palestine. The aliyah bet people. Selflessly and without consideration for themselves. Truth be told many of them were not that religious. She called them "tzadikim without tefillin."

Tzadikim, righteous people, because of their amazing work and dedication. Without tefillin, because they may have not worn tefillin regularly. But still tzadikim!

The young men and women of the security group of Denmark and around the world are truly tzadikim whether with or without tefillin.

Dan Uzan is a genuine hero who died protecting the Jewish community.

An inspiration for us all and a symbol of the appreciation that we should have for all those standing out in that position

As for the rest of us, we can still do something for Dan and for our brethren all over. We can put on tefillin, light Shabbat candles and do other mitzvahs in their merit.

CST is deeply saddened by the news of a shooting at a synagogue in Copenhagen last night, following an attack on a free speech meeting in the same city earlier yesterday.

Our thoughts and sympathies are with the victims of these attacks and their families, and with the Danish Jewish community. We are in close contact with the Danish community and with the European Jewish communities' joint crisis centre and will continue to give them whatever support we can.

The news that a security guard was killed in the shooting at the synagogue is especially distressing for all at CST and we express our solidarity with everyone who helps to protect Jewish communities all over the world.

The guard was killed protecting his community. Approximately 80 people were inside the synagogue at the time of the shooting, celebrating a Bat Mitzvah. We are grateful for all the expressions of support for CST and for our volunteers that we have received or have seen on social media today.

The courage and dedication of our security volunteers is at the heart of everything CST does. Their safety is of the highest priority for CST and is constantly reviewed to ensure that we give them the most appropriate protection for their work.

The shootings in Copenhagen confirm the ongoing terrorist threat to European Jewish communities that was seen in Paris last month, in Brussels last year and in Toulouse in 2012. It is the reason why the UK Police altered its risk assessment for the UK Jewish community following the attacks in Paris and we have been in contact with Police today as part of our ongoing assessment of the risk that our communities face.

We ask everybody who is attending a Jewish building or event to cooperate with the instructions of the security officers and Police at this difficult time.

The headline for CSTs annual Antisemitic Incidents Report for 2014 shows 1,168 antisemitic incidents, the first time we have recorded over 1,000 incidents. These are antisemitic hate crimes and hate incidents, reported to CST offices by victims, or reported by third parties, such as exchange programmes with Police forces.

The message appears simple, that antisemitism is increasing. More accurate is to say that 2014 confirmed the post 2000 pattern: the antisemitism problem that has driven CSTs work and security measures for many years.

Prior to 2014, the worst recorded year was 2009, with 931 incidents. Totals had generally fallen since then, reaching 535 in 2013, the lowest figure since 2004. Writing on this for the Jewish Chronicle, I welcomed the fall but warned it was due to the lack of big triggers for antisemitic surges...wide-eyed anti-Israel passions continue, as do malign chatter against Jews and Zionists. The lid stayed on the antisemitic pressure cooker in 2013, but the heat is still on.

I take no pleasure in having been correct. Last summer, July and August alone saw more incidents than in the whole of 2013. The summer war between Israel and Gaza lasted for approximately 50 days, which was significantly longer than the previous major conflicts in 2009 (22 days) and 2006 (34 days). That is reflected both in the cold statistics, and the unquantifiable pressures that many British Jews reported feeling at the time.

Now, last months dreadful terrorist attack in Paris has caused many people to feel similar pressures again. This is understandable, but despondency should doubly motivate us to contextualise this against the overall excellence of Jewish life; and all that we have built and achieved, especially since the year 2000. CST works to protect those achievements and we thank you for your continuing partnership in that effort.

]]>https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2015/02/05/antisemitic-incidents-report-shows-record-uk-high-in-2014Antisemitic Incidents Report shows record UK high in 20142015-02-05T01:00:04+00:00

CST recorded 1,168 antisemitic incidents across the country during 2014, more than double the 535 incidents recorded in 2013 and the highest annual total CST has ever recorded. A further 498 reports were received by CST, but were not deemed to be antisemitic and are not included in this total.

The full report can be downloaded from the CST website here and the Executive Summary can be read here.

CST has recorded antisemitic incidents in the UK since 1984. The previous highest annual total in that period came in 2009, when 931 antisemitic incidents were recorded by CST.

Antisemitic image distributed on UK social media, July 2014

Antisemitic reactions to the conflict in Israel and Gaza that took place in July and August 2014 were the single biggest factor in the 2014 record high. CST recorded 314 antisemitic incidents in the UK in July 2014, the highest monthly total ever recorded, and 228 incidents in August, the third-highest monthly total CST has recorded.

However, CST had already recorded a 38 per cent increase in incidents in the first six months of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, and it is likely that 2014 would still have shown an increase in recorded antisemitic incidents even without the impact of reactions to the conflict in Israel and Gaza.

Antisemitic leaflet sent to synagogues in Birmingham, Liverpool and London, August 2014

The increase in antisemitic incidents in 2014 was recorded throughout the UK. Incidents increased by 137 per cent in Greater London and by 79 per cent in Greater Manchester. Beyond these two cities, CST received reports of antisemitic incidents from 89 different locations around the UK.

The 1,168 recorded antisemitic incidents included 81 violent antisemitic assaults, an increase of 17 per cent from the 69 antisemitic assaults recorded in 2013 and the highest number since 2011. One of these incidents was classified by CST as Extreme Violence, meaning it involved potential grievous bodily harm (GBH) or threat to life.

There were 81 incidents of Damage & Desecration of Jewish property in 2014; 884 incidents of Abusive Behaviour, including verbal abuse, antisemitic graffiti, antisemitic abuse via social media and one-off cases of hate mail; 92 direct antisemitic threats; and 30 cases of mass-mailed antisemitic leaflets or emails. All of these were increases on the 2013 totals.

Damaged gravestone at Blackley Cemetery, Manchester, June 2014

The most common single type of incident in 2014 involved verbal abuse randomly directed at visibly Jewish people in public. In 397 incidents, the victims were ordinary Jewish people, male or female, attacked or abused while going about their daily business in public places. In at least 190 of these incidents, the victims were visibly Jewish, usually due to their religious or traditional clothing, school uniform or jewellery bearing Jewish symbols.

CST recorded 233 antisemitic incidents that involved the use of social media to transmit antisemitic threats or abuse, compared to 88 such incidents in 2013. Incidents involving the use of social media are only recorded by CST if they have been reported by a member of the public who fulfils the role of a victim or witness; if the comment shows evidence of antisemitic content, motivation or targeting; and if the offender is based in the United Kingdom or has directly targeted a UK-based victim. CST is committed to working with social media companies to find ways to reduce the impact of online hate.

Antisemitic image posted on Twitter by a far right account in Wales, December 2014

CST Chief Executive David Delew said:

The Jewish community should not be defined by antisemitism but last years large increase in recorded incidents shows just how easily antisemitic attitudes can erupt into race hate abuse, threats and attacks. Thankfully most of the incidents were not violent but they were still shocking and upsetting for those who suffered them, and for the wider Jewish community. CST will keep working with our community, Police and politicians to find ways to reduce antisemitic hate crime, and to better prosecute and convict those who carry it out.

Home Secretary Theresa May MP said:

I am absolutely clear that everyone in this country, including members of Britain's Jewish community, should be able to live their lives free from racial and religious hatred and harassment. No one should live in fear because of their beliefs or who they are. These figures are deeply concerning and I am committed to working with Jewish community leaders and law enforcement to tackle antisemitism. As I told the Board of Deputies recently, Britain without its Jews would not be Britain. Under-reporting of hate crime is a real issue, and I welcome the work of CST in recording and publishing antisemitic incident reports. We are in regular contact with CST, and will continue to work in close partnership. There is still some way to go, but we are listening, and we are taking robust action against antisemitism wherever we find it.

Secretary of State for Communities Eric Pickles MP said:

Antisemitism and hate crimes of any kind are unacceptable and completely incompatible with traditional British values. The Jewish community is an important part of British life and these attacks are not only an attack on British Jews, but an attack on all of us and on our shared values of fairness, tolerance and respect. Over the past year, Britain has seen an increase in the number of antisemitic incidents including acts of intimidation, online abuse and physical violence. Cemeteries have been desecrated and the walls of Jewish homes daubed with vile and offensive graffiti. This is totally unacceptable. The government has introduced a range of measures to ensure Britain provides a safe environment for Jewish people and these figures are a depressing reminder that there is still much work to be done. We remain staunchly committed to tackling antisemitism wherever it occurs and will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach. Those who perpetrate hate crimes of any kind will be punished with the full force of the law.

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper MP said:

This important report must serve as a warning to everyone to do more to stop antisemitism in Britain. This rise in antisemitism is appalling and completely unacceptable. The Community Security Trust does vital work to protect and provide security for the Jewish community. We must support them not only to raise the profile of this issue, but also to ensure continued close working with the police so that hate crimes can be investigated and prosecuted and communities can be kept safe. But more also needs to be done to stop prejudice and hatred in the first place - from promoting common values in schools and communities, to getting companies like Twitter to take stronger action against hate crimes on their platforms, and from challenging those who use foreign policy to spread discrimination and hostility, to renewed determination to tackle both Islamist and far right extremism.

John Mann MP, Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism said:

Every decent person in Britain will be shocked and concerned to read these CST statistics. It is simply unacceptable that Jewish people are being abused in this way. Together with CST, we have been warning of this and it is now time for people to take the action that weve been recommending. Next week, together with other parliamentarians I will be setting out a detailed plan for how we will meet the challenge of rising antisemitism head on.

The recent events in Paris are a reminder to all of us here in the UK that if we tolerate people being targeted because of their race, religion or even how they look the consequences are catastrophic. This increase in antisemitic incidents recorded by CST, correlates to increases in antisemitic crimes reported to police over recent weeks. Antisemitic hate crimes weaken our communities by causing division where we need unity and by spreading unease and fear. It is crucial that anyone experiencing antisemitic abuse, threats or criminality must report them either to the police or through CST. At this difficult time the police in the UK are working hard to bring all communities together to keep us all safe, to achieve that we must stamp out and take action to stop hate crime to bring an end to antisemitism.